I'm a little confused about the subject. My search has turned up conflicting opinions. I have a 2010 manual BMW M3 which comes from the factory with MTF LT 2 which is GL 4. I don't want to spend all the money buying a 5 L jug from the dealer so I went to theFuchs website which calls for their Titan fluid. The website says its proper for the car but also lists it as a GL5 fluid. It also lists it as a replacement to BMW MTF LT 2 by the BMW # under the compatibility listing. I'm a bit confused. Will my transmission be ok with that fluid? What I have been reading on the net is that bronze and brass parts inside the transmission wear out from GL 5. I really don't know for sure if transmissions have bronze and brass parts as I am not an expert. Any help is appreciated
GL5 in a GL4?
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The gears should be fine, the shift quality may be worse from the extra additives.
The fact that its a MT designed gl-4/gl-5 means it should not have inappropriate additives, and the right friction for synchros.
But generally gl-5 shifts worse than a gl-4.
How about Redline?
Redline recommends their D4 ATF for BMW late model manual transmissions. It is GL-4
http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?product=30504
The fact that its a MT designed gl-4/gl-5 means it should not have inappropriate additives, and the right friction for synchros.
But generally gl-5 shifts worse than a gl-4.
How about Redline?
Redline recommends their D4 ATF for BMW late model manual transmissions. It is GL-4
http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?product=30504
Thanks for the reply. I'm not really a redline fan. i used it once and it didnt seem to help.
As for the Fuchs gear oil, I chose that because most of what I read online states the trans shifts better. I dont now, maybe I'll just splurge and get the MTF LT 2 from the dealer
As for the Fuchs gear oil, I chose that because most of what I read online states the trans shifts better. I dont now, maybe I'll just splurge and get the MTF LT 2 from the dealer
If you were a "little confused" before joining this forum, you will be much more confused after you have been a member awhile. You will eventually get the right answer, or you might decide you already had the best answer. There is a lot of pswtc on this forum, but there are also some members who are very knowledgeable .Regards and have a safe New Year.
You can't substitute GL5 for GL4 unless the fluid is dual-rated.
GL5 does not supersede GL4, it is a different specification. Generally speaking, GL5 is for differentials and GL4 is for synchronized transmissions. There are a handful of fluids that are dual-rated, such as Motul Gear 300. IIRC the MTF LT2 is 75w80 GL4.
I thought MTF LT5 superseded LT2?
GL5 does not supersede GL4, it is a different specification. Generally speaking, GL5 is for differentials and GL4 is for synchronized transmissions. There are a handful of fluids that are dual-rated, such as Motul Gear 300. IIRC the MTF LT2 is 75w80 GL4.
I thought MTF LT5 superseded LT2?
Even dual-rated manual transmission lube may not work well. I put dual rated Royal Purple Max Gear 75W90 in my xB 5 speed & it shifted so poorly I thought my synchronizers were shot. After it was in for 25K miles I drained it back out (fluid looked brand new w/no brass glitter) & put in Pennzoil Synchromesh, it literally shifted like a new transmission.
I just looked under the car (removed the underlaying pan) and could not find any sort of sticker which identifies the fluid that goes in. I researched the net to find a BMW document dated 08 or 09 that stated an M with no sticker gets MTF LT 2. I think I might just get that from the dealer and be done with it. I found my local dealer (Tischer) sells it by the liter (about $33/liter).
Originally Posted By: M3m3x5
I just looked under the car (removed the underlaying pan) and could not find any sort of sticker which identifies the fluid that goes in. I researched the net to find a BMW document dated 08 or 09 that stated an M with no sticker gets MTF LT 2. I think I might just get that from the dealer and be done with it. I found my local dealer (Tischer) sells it by the liter (about $33/liter).
That's awesome that Tischer is local to you.
There are tons of equivalent fluids, though, so don't feel compelled to use the OEM stuff. A lot of BMW indie shops like the Red Line fluid.
I just looked under the car (removed the underlaying pan) and could not find any sort of sticker which identifies the fluid that goes in. I researched the net to find a BMW document dated 08 or 09 that stated an M with no sticker gets MTF LT 2. I think I might just get that from the dealer and be done with it. I found my local dealer (Tischer) sells it by the liter (about $33/liter).
That's awesome that Tischer is local to you.
There are tons of equivalent fluids, though, so don't feel compelled to use the OEM stuff. A lot of BMW indie shops like the Red Line fluid.
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